The writers will introduce their book at the event, which is scheduled to take place at the arts center (1601 Paru Street at Lincoln Avenue) from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 27.

Most of the 14 writers in this anthology came together through readings of the Alameda Island Poets Chapter of the California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc., which took place at the Alameda Multicultural Community Center.

Other books by some of the poets will also be available at the event on Sunday, including works by Eileen Malone, Taloned Claws, Amy Estrada, Mary Rudge, Claire Baker and Elizabeth Norris.

The campus in the city’s West End is the first student-launched charter high school in the nation, and about 115 students are now enrolled at BASE, which combines college-prepatory classes with community projects.

Its program aims to motivate young people who many not thrive in a traditional classroom setting.

For more information about the school, or to set up a student interview, call 510-748-4314, extension 301.

From 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, Balinese visual and performing artists will introduce Alamedans to the history, religion, daily rituals and other aspects of life on this Indonesian island.

The venue is the Alameda Main Library Branch at 1550 Oak Street. Visitors should go to the back of the library, where the Regina Stafford Room is located.

They point out that while it can be argued that there is a Marie Gilmore-Lena Tam-Rob Bonta voting block, the same could also be true of the previous council trio of Beverly Johnson-Frank Materesse-Doug DeHaan.

One commentator writes that Bonta, an attorney, was probably smart to vote on putting Gallant on unpaid leave rather than firing her, since she may be needed as a witness in the city’s legal dispute with SunCal.

Finally, while some island residents may be concerned about the way three council members are voting/behaving (which the story implies), there may be even more Alamedas who are very troubled by the overall lack of focus on filling important city positions and the city’s need for managerial, fiscal, civic and educational soundness.

It’s also worth pointing out that the story quotes former Vice Mayor A.J. “Lil” Arnerich, current councilmembers, one Alameda businessman and an Island journalist.

Too bad more Alamedans didn’t get to share their thoughts on the city government with the Express writer and with East Bay residents. Guess they can do so now online.

Alameda Town Centre, aka South Shore, is losing one of its biggest tenants, and Alamedans are losing a book-friendly place to hang out.

Borders announced Wednesday that it entered bankruptcy proceedings, which entail the closing of about 200 of its 642 stores nationwide by April 30, 2011. This will lead to about 6,000 of the company’s 19,500 employees losing their jobs, according to various news reports.

For Alamedans, this could mean longer check-out lines at the Alameda Free Library, though it should bring more foot traffic and hopefully rising sales to local book stores, like Books Inc. And for those looking for parking space near Borders at Alameda Town Centre, this situation could get a bit easier until a new tenant is found.

But for the new owners of Alameda Town Centre, of course, the Borders’ closure means a big drop in rent. (Jamestown Properties of Atlanta recently bought the shopping center for $181 million from Harsch Investment Properties.)

While some Alamedans have commented online that they will miss the Island’s Borders, many Bay Area residents say that they buy much of their reading material online today — and that they hope “mom and pop” shops will benefit from this development.

The closest store to Alameda that will be open after April 30 is in Emeryville.

Alameda Backyard Growers is meeting tonight to share details on how local residents can start work on their spring vegetable garden.

The event will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 10, at High Street Station, 1303 High Street, on the corner of Encinal Avenue.

The presenters include Nancy Sylvestri-Elzig, a “master gardener” and Alameda Backyard Growers member, who has generously offered to donate seeds from her employer, Renee’s Garden, to those who pledge to “grow a row” for the Alameda Food Bank.

For those who cannot attend tonight’s gathering but would like to participate, send e-mail to amedabackyardgrowers@gmail.com.

ABG meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday of the month and are open to the entire community.